Pretrial deadline set in Kan. prescription case

Defense attorneys have until mid-September to file pretrial motions on behalf of a northeast Kansas doctor accused of having unlicensed employees write hundreds of prescriptions for powerful painkillers.

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By Associated Press

Butler County Times Gazette

By Associated Press

Posted Jul. 2, 2013 at 11:00 AM

By Associated Press

Posted Jul. 2, 2013 at 11:00 AM

Topeka, Kan.

Defense attorneys have until mid-September to file pretrial motions on behalf of a northeast Kansas doctor accused of having unlicensed employees write hundreds of prescriptions for powerful painkillers.

U.S. District Judge Julie Robinson set the deadline Monday. She previously scheduled a trial for May 2014 for 53-year-old Michael P. Schuster of Manhattan.

Robinson plans to have a hearing on pretrial motions Nov. 4.

Schuster has pleaded not guilty to four counts involving alleged illegal drug distribution at his Manhattan pain clinic. Besides possible prison time, federal prosecutors are seeking forfeiture of money and property linked to the crimes.

Prosecutors allege that from April 2007 until at least August 2012, Schuster had staff members write prescriptions for drugs like morphine and oxycodone using signed, blank prescription pads he left while traveling.